Stretcher.



I. ZELEZNIK` STRETCHEM APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 191.7. 1,246,616. PantedNov. 13, 1917.

FIG. Ir

FIG. 2 ig l? pf./../ m.,. l 'm OFFICE.

JDEAN ZELEZNIK, 0F MULBERRY, KANSAS.

STRETCEEB.

messie.

Specification of Letters Patent. i' Patented NOV. 13, 191.7.

Application led May 2, 1917. Serial No. 165,999.

To all whom it may concern.' Y

Be it known that I, JOHN ZELEZNIK, a sub'ect of the King of Austria,residing at Mulberry, in the county of Crawford and State of'Kansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretchers, ofwhich the follow-in is a specification.

This invention re ates to new and useful improvements in stretchers.

Theprimary object of the invention is the provision of a stretcherespecially adapted for army use and having a supporting means readilyfoldable beneath the stretcher and capable of quick adjustment insecured arrangement when desired to be used.

A further object of the device is the provision of a folding leg orsupporting member for. the stretcher, the same possessing great strengthcapable of rigid positioning for use while also being .easily foldablebe' neath the side rails of the stretcher, consuming but little spaceand allowing the stretcher l to be datly positioned upon the ground.

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A still further object is the provision of a stretcher having a flexiblecarrying portion, foldable leg members being arranged adjacent theopposite ends of the device and forming spacing means for the 'oppositesides thereof.

In the drawing formin part of this application and' in which l ereference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the severalviews:

Figure 1 is a Iside elevation of the device set up for use.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, partially broken away'. j

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view partially in section upon line Ill-HIof Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken upon line V-IV of Fig. 3, andl,

Fi 5 is a similar view takenv upon'` line` V- of Fig. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the device broadly consists ofa stretcher having opposite parallel side rails 10 between which aflexible body 11 is suspended formed of such material as canvas orleather, the opposite ends of the rails 10 being formed in the shape ofhandles 12 by means of which the stretcher may be readily carried.

Recess'es 13 are arranged upon the under sides of the rails 10 atopposite points spaced from the free ends thereof, a bearing late lbeiugsgpured to the bottom of eac recess. Foursupporting legs 15 are arrangedfor the stretcher preferably formed of strips of metal, although woodmay be employed if desired, a head plate 16 being secured to 60 the topof each leg having a laterally projecting portion arranged at an obliqueangle thereto, the saidhead plate adapted for flat engagement with thebottom plates 14 when the upper ends of the legs 15 are operatively 65positioned within the recess 13 and at whic times the projectingportions of the plate 16 are arranged inwardly and in contact withsecuring plates 17 which overlie the inner portions of said recesses. Itwill be notedrthat the free end 27 of each plate 16 is preferablyrounded while the adjacent faces of edges 28 of the plate 17 and 29 ofthe recess 13 are beveled and in parallelism with each other and withthe edges of the legs 15 when positioned therein with the plates 16flatly seating beneath the plates 14C, the arrangement forming a solidjoint for the su porting legs when assembled.

A space ar y18 connects together the pairs 80 oflegs 15 and constitutesthe spacing member for the rails 10. Rectangular plates 19 are carriedby the outer sides of the rails 10 overlying the recesses 13, being inengagement with the adjacent portions of the legs notches 25 for ridingupon the space bars 18. 95

In operation, the stretcher is normally supported upon the legs 15arranged as illustrated in Figsl 1 and 3 of the drawing. A lug 26laterally projects from each of the brackets 24 forlimiting the inwardand 100 downward swinging movement of the adjacent strut 23 whichstrengthens the supporting structure when operatively positioned,` iteing noted that the nuts 22 at such times are tightened upon the bolts20. When de- 105 sired to fold the device for purposes of transportationor to allow the stretcher to be iiatly positioned upon any member, thenuts. 22 are released allowing the upper ends of the legs 15 to beslidably removed from the 110 l,

recesses 13 and whereupon the legsare readily folded beneath the rails10 with the struts 23 folded inwardly thereof in a manner bestillustrated by dotted lines in F ig. 3 of the drawing. A serviceablestretcher is provided which is light in weight but possesses greatstrength.

What I claim as new is l. A stretcher comprising side rails, havingterminal handle portions and provided with recesses inwardly spacedtherefrom, plates carried by the rails overlying a portion of therecesses, legs adapted for positioning within the recesses, head platesupon said legs projecting beneath said cover plates and adjusting platesfor the said legs.

2. A- stretcher comprising side rails, having recesses therein, platescarried by the rails overlying portions of the said recesses, sideplates on the rails, a leg adjustably secured to each side plate and ahead plate upon each leg adapted for seating arrangement within saidrecesses underlying the said cover plates when the device is operativelyarranged.

3. A stretcher comprising side rails, having recesses therein, platescarried by the rails overlying portions of the said recesses, sideplates on the rails, a leg adjustably secured to each side plate, aspace bar rigidly secured between the oppositely arranged legs,depending bracket-s carried by the rails having lateral stop lugs andstruts pivoted to said brackets with notched lower ends constantlypositioned overlying the said bars and engaging 'the said lugs when thelegs are unfolded.

4. A device of the class described comprising side rails, a flexiblebody arranged therebetween, supporting legs having socketed engagementadjacent the opposite ends of said rails, ladjustable securing meansbetween said rails and legs, spacing means for the rails connectedbetween the opposite legs, depending brackets carried by said rails,stop lugs upon said brackets and supporting struts pivoted to thebrackets adjacent said lugs and having notched lower ends in constantengagement over the said spacing means.

n testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHAN ZELEZNIK.

